MLorenz Photography

Oct 17, 2013

Steaming Bear

Steaming Bear a video by Megan Lorenz on Flickr.

Scarface is an old favorite in Yellowstone. He's apparently around 24 years old and has a knack for getting out of his radio collars. The scars on his face may be a result of rubbing himself against rocks to remove the collars. From what I hear...he's been re-collared since our trip.

We saw him often because for 5 or 6 days he was keeping close to a carcass at the Lamar River Bridge. One night we left him when it was already pitch black outside...at that point he was sleeping on a rock below the bridge. The next morning we arrived before dawn and as we stood on the bridge, he walked underneath us and followed the river until he was out of sight.

Grizzly Bear Country

Grizzly Bear Country, a photo by Megan Lorenz on Flickr.

Yes, it certainly is! I saw a total of 15 bears on the trip.

2 Grizzlies on the Beartooth Highway (where we couldn't stop because it was a "no stopping at any time" construction zone even though it was a Sunday and no work was happening...very frustrating because they were so close!)
11 Grizzly Bears in Yellowstone - 3 Males, 2 Females, 6 Cubs.
2 Black Bears in Grand Teton National Park (one of which I had a very close encounter which was not my intention)

Not to mention the two nights we had a Grizzly right outside our cabin but more on that later. Out of all those opportunities, I didn't manage to get any photos I'm thrilled with but each sighting will stay with me forever.